The impact of mass media violent content on society in Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates affects of violent content shown on Pakistani news channels on domestic audiences and how exposure to such content led them towards the acts of violence and aggression apart from experiencing fear. The study finds that violent television news content affect and change the behaviors and attitudes of Pakistani citizens and, in the process, desensitize them. While following a quantitative research method with convenience sampling method, structured surveys were held in which 400 respondents participated. The study found that male respondents were more prone to acts of violence after their exposure to violent TV news content. Most of the respondents thought of Geo news channels as unreliable in terms of credibility and journalistic ethics. ARY turned out to be the most watched TV news channel. The study also shows that respondents were equally interested in watching news and entertainment programs on TV. The study also recommends the state should take appropriate steps to prevent or reduce the showing of violent content on Pakistani TV news channels, as it may be dangerous to a sustainable public health.